Hamlet
"Especially notable is Ralph Petrarca's rendering of the ghost of King Hamlet, a truly spooky apparition, even in broad daylight."
-Backstage
-Backstage
Under the Gaslight
“The performance is accompanied by live piano music, played with silent-movie gusto by Ralph Petrarca. Some of his riffs are so old they seem new again...”
-New York Times
“Director Michael Hardart aided by Ralph Petrarca's enchanting on-stage piano playing, successfully revamps Under the Gaslight's antiquated slapstick, happily propelling the play into our 21st Century.”
-Village Voice
“A grand touch on the part of Hardart, though, is the use of the excellent Ralph Petrarca as a piano player who provides near-continuous accompaniment to the piece, in the manner of a silent movie score...”
-nytheatre.com
“A fine, inspired touch is to have Ralph Petrarca play silent-movie music throughout the evening at an upright piano center stage....”
-Theatre Scene
-New York Times
“Director Michael Hardart aided by Ralph Petrarca's enchanting on-stage piano playing, successfully revamps Under the Gaslight's antiquated slapstick, happily propelling the play into our 21st Century.”
-Village Voice
“A grand touch on the part of Hardart, though, is the use of the excellent Ralph Petrarca as a piano player who provides near-continuous accompaniment to the piece, in the manner of a silent movie score...”
-nytheatre.com
“A fine, inspired touch is to have Ralph Petrarca play silent-movie music throughout the evening at an upright piano center stage....”
-Theatre Scene
From Rags to Riches
"Paul Bomba and Erin Leigh Schmoyer as the brother and sister, and Ralph Petrarca as their father, are especially skillful."
-New York Times
"What keeps the show afloat is its blend of silky villainy, gritty heroism, and some blithely catchy tunes (original music by Alex Roe) played on the piano by the gifted Ralph Petrarca."
"...and Ralph Petrarca is laudable as the ex-convict Albert Cooper. "
-Curtain Up
"Ralph Petrarca is convincing as the alcoholic Albert Cooper, as well as responsible for the deft arrangements and live accompaniment to the songs before each scene."
-Backstage
-New York Times
"What keeps the show afloat is its blend of silky villainy, gritty heroism, and some blithely catchy tunes (original music by Alex Roe) played on the piano by the gifted Ralph Petrarca."
"...and Ralph Petrarca is laudable as the ex-convict Albert Cooper. "
-Curtain Up
"Ralph Petrarca is convincing as the alcoholic Albert Cooper, as well as responsible for the deft arrangements and live accompaniment to the songs before each scene."
-Backstage
Souvenir
‘Of course, this means the actors portraying the infamous duo have to be top notch - and Gael Schaefer and Ralph Petrarca don't disappoint...’
‘Petrarca was equally good as McMoon...’ ‘It was a delight to watch Petrarca's face contort into expressions of horror when his McMoon first hears Schaefer's Jenkins...’
‘Petrarca got even better in the second half of the play, when Jenkins secures a Carnegie Hall concert (yes, she actually sang there). The actor made McMoon look like he was suffering 1,000 deaths, and he probably was. By the way, Petrarca's piano was in tune, even if Schaefer's character wasn't, and his playing skills were quite good...’
-The Capital
‘Director Lucinda Merry-Browne chose a stellar duo to fill these formidable shoes...’
‘As Cosmé, Ralph Petrarca’s musical versatility, witty banter and outsized physical comedy are reminiscent of Steve Allen at his funniest. Petrarca is equally serious when philosophizing on the unlikely turn of fate that made him an also-ran to his untalented patroness...’
-Bay Weekly
‘Petrarca's McMoon transitions from a middle-age bar pianist to a believable, brash 24-year-old musician...’
‘Throughout, Petrarca displays a sure touch at the piano...’
-Baltimore Sun
‘Petrarca was equally good as McMoon...’ ‘It was a delight to watch Petrarca's face contort into expressions of horror when his McMoon first hears Schaefer's Jenkins...’
‘Petrarca got even better in the second half of the play, when Jenkins secures a Carnegie Hall concert (yes, she actually sang there). The actor made McMoon look like he was suffering 1,000 deaths, and he probably was. By the way, Petrarca's piano was in tune, even if Schaefer's character wasn't, and his playing skills were quite good...’
-The Capital
‘Director Lucinda Merry-Browne chose a stellar duo to fill these formidable shoes...’
‘As Cosmé, Ralph Petrarca’s musical versatility, witty banter and outsized physical comedy are reminiscent of Steve Allen at his funniest. Petrarca is equally serious when philosophizing on the unlikely turn of fate that made him an also-ran to his untalented patroness...’
-Bay Weekly
‘Petrarca's McMoon transitions from a middle-age bar pianist to a believable, brash 24-year-old musician...’
‘Throughout, Petrarca displays a sure touch at the piano...’
-Baltimore Sun
Figaro-Figaro
‘Ralph Petrarca is a wonderful Count Almaviva, effectively managing the transition between acts…’
-Broadway World
'As the Count, Petrarca is more wily and humorous than anyone else…’
-Talkin Broadway
‘Ralph Petrarca a wry and funny Count Almaviva…’
-Blog Critics’ Magazine
-Broadway World
'As the Count, Petrarca is more wily and humorous than anyone else…’
-Talkin Broadway
‘Ralph Petrarca a wry and funny Count Almaviva…’
-Blog Critics’ Magazine
Tartuffe
“Here is a fellow who loves the role he is playing
and consequently does it very, very well indeed...’
-Adirondack Weekender
“Tartuffe, himself, is very well played by Ralph Petrarca. His ironic expressions speak to his intent, allowing the audience to see his deceit and, oddly enough, like him in spite of his nefarious behavior.” -Press Republican
“Both of his seduction scenes with Elmire are truly hilarious.”
“He is never consciously evil - lecherous yes, but not evil. Is there such a thing as ingenuous hypocrisy?”
“…he plays the role with amoral glee and a mischievous childlike quality that’s quite disarming.”
“It’s an evening of genuine enjoyment of a play that’s too seldom seen.”
-North Country Public Radio
and consequently does it very, very well indeed...’
-Adirondack Weekender
“Tartuffe, himself, is very well played by Ralph Petrarca. His ironic expressions speak to his intent, allowing the audience to see his deceit and, oddly enough, like him in spite of his nefarious behavior.” -Press Republican
“Both of his seduction scenes with Elmire are truly hilarious.”
“He is never consciously evil - lecherous yes, but not evil. Is there such a thing as ingenuous hypocrisy?”
“…he plays the role with amoral glee and a mischievous childlike quality that’s quite disarming.”
“It’s an evening of genuine enjoyment of a play that’s too seldom seen.”
-North Country Public Radio
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
‘…Ralph Petrarca is the hobbling, washed-up-athlete and Echo Springs-slugging imbiber son “Brick.”’
-Press Republican
‘Petrarca does well in his portrayal of Brick…We see him on the brink of letting everything go…we see his feelings as they rise to the surface in the form of sexual charge, anger and even violence.’
-Press Republican
'Ralph Petrarca, who did such a nice job as Tartuffe, is quite good as Brick. His emotional
portrayal of the character is interesting and complex.‘
-North Country Public Radio
-Press Republican
‘Petrarca does well in his portrayal of Brick…We see him on the brink of letting everything go…we see his feelings as they rise to the surface in the form of sexual charge, anger and even violence.’
-Press Republican
'Ralph Petrarca, who did such a nice job as Tartuffe, is quite good as Brick. His emotional
portrayal of the character is interesting and complex.‘
-North Country Public Radio
Souvenir
‘...As an actor, Petrarca succeeds in the way he confides his exasperation to us and keeps it from Jenkins...’
‘..."Souvenir" is worth a listen if it has the right two people. Luckily, director Michelle Tattenbaum was able to find a couple of good ones...’
-Star-Ledger
‘..."Souvenir" is worth a listen if it has the right two people. Luckily, director Michelle Tattenbaum was able to find a couple of good ones...’
-Star-Ledger
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead
‘Ralph Petrarca plays opposite him as Guildenstern,
and their dialogue exchanges show they both have a good sense
of comic timing…’
-North Country Public Radio
"On an only slightly deeper level, though his character would not agree,
is Ralph Petrarca’s solidly acted Guildenstern. Guildenstern’s logic twists and turns
leading him down extraordinarily illogical paths."
-Press Republican
and their dialogue exchanges show they both have a good sense
of comic timing…’
-North Country Public Radio
"On an only slightly deeper level, though his character would not agree,
is Ralph Petrarca’s solidly acted Guildenstern. Guildenstern’s logic twists and turns
leading him down extraordinarily illogical paths."
-Press Republican
Latham Prince
The Threepenny Opera
“Ralph Petrarca makes the most of Filch’s re-education scene…”
-Backstage
-Backstage
Twelfth Night
“Ralph Petrarca is hilarious as Sir Andrew. I loved his duel challenge and
crashing exits. He also makes a very good plant.”
-North Country Public Radio
crashing exits. He also makes a very good plant.”
-North Country Public Radio
Intrigue and Love
“Ralph Petrarca is appropriately slimy as von Walter's
snake-like private secretary, the aptly named Herr Wurm…”
-nytheatre.com
snake-like private secretary, the aptly named Herr Wurm…”
-nytheatre.com
Oedipus at Colonus
‘…Susanna Florence, Allison Schubert, and Sarah Shahinian
perform the poetry, songs, and dances fluently and
beautifully, and Ralph Petrarca as the Chorus Leader, who
plays accompaniment to many of the songs on a single drum
and other types of percussion, compliments them eloquently.
Six other actors plus Petrarca play the non-choral roles, with
Peter Judd in the marathon title role (he never leaves the
stage for the entire piece). -nytheatre.com
perform the poetry, songs, and dances fluently and
beautifully, and Ralph Petrarca as the Chorus Leader, who
plays accompaniment to many of the songs on a single drum
and other types of percussion, compliments them eloquently.
Six other actors plus Petrarca play the non-choral roles, with
Peter Judd in the marathon title role (he never leaves the
stage for the entire piece). -nytheatre.com
Arms and the Man
‘...standing out is Petrarca, as the realist soldier Bluntschli…’
-Ellsworth American
‘Ralph Petrarca, as Bluntschli, is a gentler actor who delivers the captain with all his complexity and modernism.…’
‘...Petrarca brings out Bluntschli’s true colors in a performance packed with dashing overtures, reason and humor...’
-Bar Harbor Times
Twelfth Night
‘...striking performances of Mr. Petrarca and Ms. Caplan...’
‘...their scenes are not only visually hilarious and colorful, but also make the "language" factor of the show fun and easy on the ears. I have rarely seen such a masterful blend of physical slapstick and verbal dexterity as it exists in this production...’
‘…In fact, you will find yourself listening intently to the lines of Feste (Angela Brayman), Maria (Paula J. Caplan), Sir Toby Belch (Ralph Petrarca) and Sir Andrew (Dave Rabinow).’
-Standard Times
‘...their scenes are not only visually hilarious and colorful, but also make the "language" factor of the show fun and easy on the ears. I have rarely seen such a masterful blend of physical slapstick and verbal dexterity as it exists in this production...’
‘…In fact, you will find yourself listening intently to the lines of Feste (Angela Brayman), Maria (Paula J. Caplan), Sir Toby Belch (Ralph Petrarca) and Sir Andrew (Dave Rabinow).’
-Standard Times